Doug Williams (American football)

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1978 -1982)
• Arizona / Oklahoma Outlaws ( USFL ) (1984, 1985)
• Washington Redskins (1986-1989)

• Super Bowl winners (XXII )
• Super Bowl MVP
• 70 Greatest Redskins

Douglas Lee Williams ( born August 9, 1955 in Zachary, Louisiana, United States) is a former American football player and coach. He played quarterback, among others in the National Football League ( NFL ) for the Washington Redskins.

Youth / College

Williams played college football at Grambling State University in Grambling, Louisiana. At this college studying typically African-American students. The Grambling State University Tigers play in the second division of the NCAA, which means that players of this team have to expect any professional career in the rule. To make for a professional career as a quarterback was also the color of Williams. Dark-skinned quarterbacks were with the team owners and the trainers of the NFL not very popular, they were generally not trusted to be able to lead a team. Williams prevailed anyway. During his studies he won with his team 35 of 40 games. He scored 93 touchdowns in his career. Since his other statistical values ​​were also outstanding, the scouts of the NFL on the class player were attentive.

Professional career

Williams was selected in the 1978 NFL Draft in the 1st round at the 17th place by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers - a team that had been taken in the NFL until 1976 and then had the usual birth pains. There were regularly lost more games than won ( 11 of their 16 season games). Accordingly, the first professional year proceeded at Williams. In 1979, a turning point. Williams, whose personal statistics were unconvincing in the first year, led his team in the second year up in the NFC Championship Game, where they failed because of the Los Angeles Rams. 1981 attracted the Buccanneers with Williams again in the Play Offs a ( Williams statistical values ​​appeared to be strongly improved) and was defeated in the first game of the Dallas Cowboys. In the strike- shortened 1982 season due to failed again in the first game of the play offs at the Cowboys.

Although Williams up to this point, the best-ever quarterback of the team from Florida had been, there were contractual difficulties and Williams joined in 1984 then the Oklahoma Outlaws of, a team of the newly formed League USFL. The team moved a year later to Arizona to and joined with the Arizona Wranglers together with the Arizona Outlaws. Williams statistical values ​​were satisfactory at this time. Although he scored with his passes in two years, a space gain of 6757 yards, but also threw 38 interceptions with 36 touchdowns. The Outlaws were never able to move into the play -offs. After two years, the USFL was financially in the end.

In 1986, Williams to the Redskins. Joe Gibbs was at this time coach of the team and already knew him from his time with the Buccaneers, where he worked as an assistant coach before. Williams was spare man behind Jay Schroeder and replaced this injury in 1987 during the current season. The period of greatest success began. The Redskins were able to move this year in the Play Offs, defeated - but little in convincing style - one after the other just under the Chicago Bears and the Minnesota Vikings to move into the Super Bowl. In Super Bowl XXII then they met the Denver Broncos, who were with their star quarterback John Elway as the big favorites. In San Diego, Williams rolled over with his team in the second quarter with 35 points the Broncos, who had previously taken the lead and sat by the foundation to 42:10 Super Bowl victory. Williams himself threw four touchdowns in the second quarter that has ever been achieved to date by any quarterback again. Williams, who suffered from toothache for days before the game and was treated before the match by a dentist, so that was the first black quarterback who played in a Super Bowl and also won this yet. The hypothesis that dark-skinned quarterbacks were not in a position to lead a team that was obviously once again ahead of the game by a reporter's question: "How long have they been a black quarterback? " was refuted by Williams terrific. The question of the reporter is now referred to in the rest of a misunderstanding. Williams jersey was after winning one of the best-selling fan merchandise of the Redskins. 1989 Williams ended his career as a player. In his NFL career, he scored 100 touchdowns in nine years and a space gain of 16998 yards.

Coach

Williams was previously operating at different positions as a trainer and as a scout. Among other things, in the Scottish Claymores in the NFLE, at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia and at his old alma mater in Grambling - with which he was also three times regional champions. He is currently employed by the company of the Buccaneers.

Honors

Williams was nominated for his contribution to the Super Bowl win the MVP of the game. He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and is on the list of the best 70 players that ever played for the Redskins.